But never has the effort been as regular as the Jazz plan for it to be this season.

"I really appreciate the time he can spend on me," Kirilenko said.

"If it's my will I want him to be with me like 24/7 at practice and helping me," he added, "but I know that's impossible."

While working with Kirilenko, Hornacek will stress repetition and routine much more than mere mechanics.

He'll drop hints like trying to remember not to hesitate when shooting.

"You know before you get the ball if you're gonna shoot it or not," Hornacek said, "and then when that pass comes you're already in your motion and you let it fly."

Hornacek also will spend some time trying to boost the unhappy Russian's sagging confidence.

"You know," he said after watching Kirilenko hit about 80 percent of his pre-practice shots Wednesday, "he's a great shooter.

"I don't think it's necessarily 'his shot,"' Hornacek added. "It's just the confidence that comes with shooting a lot of shots, and having some success. ... Shooting's not all technique. A lot of it is mental."

What Hornacek probably won't do is go down the road of force-feeding Kirilenko just what it takes to play for Sloan, a sore subject in recent months for the one-time All-Star.

Should Kirilenko ask, though, the ex-Jazz guard will be ready with a response.

"Jerry's a great coach," Hornacek said.

"Guys have to know that he's gonna get after you. He wants you to do well. ... He's trying to stoke you to do better, and get the best out of you," he added. "I think deep-down all guys know that. As much as Jerry may get on their case, they know that he's trying to make them better players."

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com